PA · Season 2025–2026

Pennsylvania trapping regulations

Source agency Pennsylvania Game Commission → Buy a license →

Seed data — confirm before the line. Season dates, bag limits, and method rules on this page are drawn from typical PA season patterns and are pending final verification against the current Pennsylvania regulation digest. Always verify with Pennsylvania Game Commission before setting a line.

Season dates by species

Species Opens Closes Bag limit Status Reporting
Beaver Dec 25, 2025 Mar 30, 2026 20 per season (typical WMU) Closed
Muskrat Nov 21, 2025 Jan 10, 2026 No limit Closed
Mink Nov 21, 2025 Jan 10, 2026 No limit Closed
River Otter Feb 14, 2026 Feb 27, 2026 1 per permittee Closed Required
Fisher Dec 12, 2025 Dec 19, 2025 1 per permittee Closed Required
Bobcat Dec 19, 2025 Feb 14, 2026 1 per permittee Closed Required
Coyote No limit Year-round
Red Fox Oct 24, 2025 Feb 14, 2026 No limit Closed
Gray Fox Oct 24, 2025 Feb 14, 2026 No limit Closed
Raccoon Oct 24, 2025 Feb 14, 2026 No limit Closed
Skunk Oct 24, 2025 Feb 14, 2026 No limit Closed
Opossum Oct 24, 2025 Feb 14, 2026 No limit Closed
Weasel Oct 24, 2025 Feb 14, 2026 No limit Closed

Species-specific notes

Beaver

Method WMU-specific
Notes Report required within 48 hours of last catch.

River Otter

Method Permit-only
Notes Lottery permit.

Fisher

Notes Lottery permit.

Bobcat

Notes Lottery permit.

Coyote

Notes Year-round.

Legal trap types

Trap type Legal Restrictions Land type
foothold Legal Max 6.5" unpadded; 7.5" padded jaw on land both
body gripping Legal Max 6.5" on land; large water sets legal both
snare Legal Cable restraints legal 2025-2026 season both
cage Legal both

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Data published Pending verification